OLYMPIA – Native American students would be able to wear tribal regalia and items of cultural significance at their graduation ceremonies under two bills moving through the Legislature.

Some school districts in Washington don’t allow students to wear any kind of decorations on their gown and caps, said Sen. John McCoy, a member of the Tulalip Tribes who supports the bill.

“This is a rite of passage and they want to be able to be identified as Native American when they’re going through that passage,” he said.

House and Senate committees both passed bills Friday prohibiting public schools and universities from preventing Native American students from wearing tribal regalia. Read more about the Reps supporting this bill.